How many posts you make or how long your post is does not play a role in earning merit. You can earn a lot of merit by writing a few words, but it must be constructive or useful.

You can even earn merit by considering how much you contribute to the welfare of the forum or the welfare of your community as a user.

Yes, many are still abusing the merit system, but no matter what system you bring, it will not be perfect. They will find a way to abuse it.

So you should not spend too much time on these matters, but get to know the forum and use creativity to discover innovative strategies to contribute to the forum. You will definitely be evaluated properly.